Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that Nigeria is on the threshold of a new era in governance and digital innovation, with the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill set to serve as the catalyst for a far-reaching GovTech revolution.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Abuja, Shettima described the forthcoming law as a landmark reform that will institutionalize smarter governance, promote transparency, and ensure inclusive digital service delivery nationwide.
“Just as the cashless policy unlocked the fintech revolution, this new Bill will unlock the GovTech revolution — ushering in an era of smarter governance, greater transparency, and inclusive service delivery,” the Vice President said.
The National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, currently in its final stages of enactment, is designed to modernize how the government interacts with citizens and businesses. The legislation seeks to build a framework for electronic governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and seamless access to public services.
Stabilizing Nigeria’s Economy
Shettima also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic leadership, stating that the administration has ended “the regimes of volatility and unpredictability” that previously defined Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the country’s economic stabilization efforts are beginning to yield global recognition, with international credit rating agencies such as Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service recently upgrading Nigeria’s outlook to “stable.”
According to Shettima, these upgrades confirm investor confidence in the government’s reform agenda. “The phase before us now,” he said, “is to ensure that these macroeconomic gains trickle down to the people — from the kiosks of neighborhood traders to the boardrooms of multinational corporations.”
Three Pillars of Digital Transformation
The Vice President outlined the administration’s digital transformation strategy as resting on three key pillars — People, Infrastructure, and Policy — all aimed at positioning Nigeria as Africa’s most competitive digital economy.
Under the People pillar, Shettima said the government is investing heavily in digital education and capacity building through initiatives like Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. These initiatives are designed to build a generation of digitally skilled Nigerians capable of driving innovation and participating actively in the global knowledge economy.
On Infrastructure, Shettima revealed that the government is rolling out a national broadband “superhighway” to connect every state and ensure equitable digital access. Through flagship projects such as Bridge and Project 774, the aim is to provide high-speed internet connectivity to urban centers and rural communities alike.
“With this infrastructure, startups in Gusau or Makurdi will compete effectively with those in Lagos or Abuja,” he said.
The Policy pillar focuses on creating a stable, innovation-friendly environment. Shettima noted that Nigeria’s success with the cashless economy has already placed the country among the world’s most dynamic fintech hubs. The next frontier, he said, is leveraging automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to make government operations more efficient and responsive.
A Digital Future for Public Service
Shettima described the new Digital Economy Bill as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s transition toward a modern, technology-driven public sector. Once enacted, the Bill will streamline government processes, strengthen accountability, and make public institutions more citizen-focused.
“We can no longer apply 20th-century solutions to 21st-century problems,” he emphasized. “Our goal is a digital ecosystem that functions as seamlessly in Lagos as it does in Kano, Port Harcourt, or Gusau — one that guarantees inclusion, competitiveness, and opportunity for all.”
He urged both public and private stakeholders to support Nigeria’s evolution from a digitally reactive nation to a digitally proactive society — one that fosters innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
Legislative Backing and Broader Vision
The House of Representatives has already expressed strong commitment to the Bill, describing it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s modernization efforts. The legislation aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the digital economy, covering areas such as e-transactions, cybersecurity, data governance, and national digital infrastructure.
Once enacted, the Bill is expected to transform how the government operates, how citizens access services, and how Nigeria positions itself in the emerging global digital order — effectively marking the beginning of a GovTech revolution that could redefine governance and service delivery in Africa’s largest economy.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
